BCC Presents Black History Month Events

Post date:

Wednesday, February 6, 2013 - 2:29pm

Local celebrity chefs and cultural cuisine will be a part of Burlington County College’s (BCC) new programming in honor of Black History Month. The culinary event, set to take place on Sunday, Feb. 24, will be in addition to the College’s other events including the annual cultural book fair on Saturday, Feb. 16, a trip to tour the African art exhibit at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology on Saturday, Feb. 23, and "A Night of Africa" sponsored by BCC's International Student Club on Feb. 28.

“BCC’s African American Cultural Events Committee works throughout the year to organize and present exciting events for the benefit of the community and College,” said Bernadette Wright, Chairman of BCC’s African American Cultural Events Committee and Associate Dean of Liberal Arts. “These educational, cultural, and social activities are in celebration of the important contributions made by individuals of African descent.”

Live poetry readings and skits, local African American authors, and an eclectic mix of books combine to create the second annual Cultural Heritage Book Fair at the William K. McDaniel Integrated Learning Resource Center (IRLC), located on BCC’s Pemberton campus, 601 Pemberton Browns Mills Rd., on Saturday, Feb. 16 from noon to 4 p.m. This free event will include discounted book prices, autographed copies, as well as a “Question and Answer” session and “Meet and Greet” with the authors. Actress and poet, Alma Day will portray Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights and American voting rights activist who fought racial segregation and injustice in the South. Featured authors include Todd "C.C." Evans, Kenneth Rodgers, Margaret Brown, Martha Griffin, Brotha Blaze, Karen Kelly Boyce, Kimananda, Veronica Allen, Patricia and Lisa Middleton, Karen Riley, Robert House, Cassandra Ulrich, Victoria Huggins Peurifoy, RuNett Ebo, Angeline Dean and Bridget Brawner. Free books will be given to the first five BCC students who attend.

On Saturday, Feb. 23, join BCC for a guided tour of the renowned African art collection at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. See magnificent 16th century bronze heads of divine kings from the Benin people, wooden dance masks used to maintain tradition and laws, and carved human figures that provide links to the spirit world. Explore these powerful creations and learn about their influence on Picasso, Matisse and other modern artists. Vans leave the TEC Building parking lot located at BCCs Mount Laurel campus, 500 College Circle, at 9:30 a.m. and return at 4 p.m. Cost is $20 per person. To sign up for the trip, please visit ww.bcc.edu/WebAdvisor, click on “Non-Credit Students” and enter course CFI 730-30. For more information, please call (609) 894-9311, ext. 1338.

Enjoy a “Taste of Soul” on Sunday, Feb. 24 at the Culinary Arts Center at BCC, 21 Mill St., Mount Holly. Chef Joe Brown, owner of Melange @ Haddonfield, Chef Barry Sexton, owner of Opinionated Palate, and Chef Michael Winckler, proprietor of Winckler’s Ribs, will demonstrate how to prepare three delectable dishes. Guests will spend 45 minutes with each chef in the live demonstration theater. A buffet, live musical entertainment and door prizes are included. Admission is $20 for adults, $10 for BCC students with a current student ID, and $8 for children 12 and under. Doors open at 4 p.m. and demonstrations are from 5 to 8 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call (609) 894-9311, ext. 1457.

With more than 650 international students representing 70-plus countries, BCC is home to a unique and culturally diverse student body. On Thursday, Feb. 28, BCC’s International Club members will present “A Night of Africa” at BCC’s Mount Laurel campus in the Laurel Hall lounge from 6 to 8 p.m. The evening will feature musical and dance entertainment by club members and Neo-African Drums ‘n Dance, La Salle University’s performance ensemble which combines compelling neo-traditional African rhythms, vigorous choreography and exciting visual scenery to on and off-campus audiences. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please call (609) 894-9311, ext. 1350 or 2232.

In addition to these Black History Month events, BCC’s African American Cultural Events Committee is planning a bus trip to the Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. on Saturday, April 13. The tour will include the Lincoln, Vietnam Veterans, WWII and Martin Luther King Memorials and a buffet dinner at the Golden Corral. The bus leaves the Pemberton campus at 6:15 a.m. and returns at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $70 per person. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (609) 894-9311, ext. 1338 or visit http://j.mp/XfOw8y.